Chapter 24: Turning the Tables

Deep within the fissure, scorching currents of fire fiend energy permeated the air, distorting it with their searing heat.

Song Kui, Zhang Kai, and the others stood in a tense circle around the ancient stone array disk. The runes inscribed on its surface flickered uncertainly, while the embedded spirit stones were dim, their power waning—clearly, the seal holding the cavern below would not last much longer.

A disciple adept in arrays wiped sweat from his brow, anxiety thick in his voice. “Brother Song, the seal can’t hold much longer!”

“We must reinforce it at once, or... enter before it collapses entirely!”

Song Kui’s face was grim, his eyes fixed on the black maw from which pure fire fiend energy leaked, a blend of greed and caution gleaming within. The earth’s fire vein lay close—within, rare fire-element treasures or even spirit flames might await, but the risk of forcing the failing seal was enormous.

“Brother Zhang, Brother Wu,” Song Kui suddenly barked, turning to Zhang Kai and a tall, thin disciple.

“The two of you have the highest cultivation. Go ahead and scout the path—ascertain the situation below. If there’s danger, retreat at once! We’ll cover you from above and try to stabilize the array.”

Zhang Kai’s expression changed, clearly reluctant to play the expendable vanguard, but under Song Kui’s cold, menacing gaze, he had no choice but to comply. Wu, too, looked miserable yet dared not disobey.

Both cloaked themselves in protective spiritual light, inching warily toward the hole. The closer they drew, the more violent and oppressive the heat became, roasting their auras until their breaths caught.

Hidden behind a distant boulder, Bai Yuening watched the scene unfold.

“Let them tear each other apart!” Ye Ming gloated within her mind. “Hopefully something nasty down there wipes them out in one go!”

Bai Yuening’s gaze was calm, her mind racing. Song Kui and his men were not weak; direct confrontation would be unwise. But if they found something and paid the price for it, perhaps...

Just as Zhang Kai and Wu were about to step into the opening, the already faltering ancient array disk gave a mournful groan, unable to withstand the spiritual disturbance of their approach. The last spirit stones shattered with a crisp crack!

At once, the sealing power dissipated. The runes around the entrance crumbled, and a torrent of crimson fire fiend energy—far more violent than before—erupted from the depths!

A wave of heat roared skyward, hurling shards of stone in all directions.

“Retreat!” Song Kui shouted in horror, leaping back.

Zhang Kai and Wu, caught at the forefront, were terrified. They desperately channeled their spiritual power to retreat, but the edge of the fiery wave still caught them.

Zhang Kai’s protective artifact shattered instantly. He was struck as if by a sledgehammer, spat blood, and was sent hurtling against the rock wall, his robes singed, his form battered and wretched.

Wu fared even worse, a step slower—one arm was engulfed by fire fiend energy and turned to blackened charcoal in an instant, his screams echoing in agony.

The violent eruption lasted several heartbeats before subsiding. Crimson mist still swirled ominously at the entrance, but the fury had waned. Now, the black opening to the underworld lay exposed for all to see.

The area was in chaos—Song Kui and the others, shaken and busy tending to the wounded, scrambled about in disarray.

“Now’s our chance!” Ye Ming urged. “The seal’s gone, a chunk of the fire fiend energy vented—it’s much less dangerous. Go, before they realize!”

Bai Yuening’s heart pounded. The risk was still immense, but this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

No longer hesitating, she slipped through the sweltering haze and rubble, moving from an unseen angle to quietly slide into the now-calm entrance.

Her motion was swift and concealed—none of the distracted group noticed her.

Within the cavern, an even purer, more violent energy surged over her. The walls glowed dark red, as if burned by eternal flames, and crimson sparks floated in the air. The tunnel sloped steeply downward into gloom.

Bai Yuening hurried on, channeling her power to resist the fiendish heat, descending quickly.

Ye Ming sharpened his senses, guiding her past especially dangerous cracks where tongues of fiendish flame still flickered.

“The left fork’s energy is purer, and the fiendish aura is steadier there,” Ye Ming instructed urgently.

Without hesitation, Bai Yuening turned left. The passage narrowed, but now here and there, red-glowing crystals were embedded in the walls, radiating thick fire-element energy.

“These stones are valuable! Take a few!” Ye Ming prodded.

Sword light flashed as Bai Yuening expertly pried loose several of the best fire opals, stowing them away without breaking stride.

Deeper still, the faint sound of water reached her—but the “water” hissed with heat.

Rounding a bend, Bai Yuening’s breath caught.

At the heart of a small underground grotto, a pool of molten, crimson spiritual liquid bubbled and steamed, radiating monstrous heat and pure fiendish energy.

At its edge grew several strange spirit herbs—wholly red, flickering like living flames.

“Earthfire Spirit Essence... and Flameheart Grass?”

She recognized them from old texts, the names surfacing in her memory.

“These are the real treasures—take as much as you can!” Ye Ming’s disbelief was edged with exultation.

Ignoring the scorching air that threatened to desiccate her, Bai Yuening stepped forward.

She dared not use common vessels for the blistering spirit essence. Producing several empty jade vials, she carefully drew in the liquid with her power, taking only a little in each. Even so, the searing energies made her arms burn and drained her spiritual strength swiftly.

She swiftly harvested the Flameheart Grass—their touch was warm, each leaf brimming with astonishing fire energy.

Just as she finished, a furious screech echoed from the depths—a wave of savage intent surged closer.

The original denizen had been roused!

“Trouble! Something’s awakened—run!” Ye Ming shouted.

Without a second thought, Bai Yuening turned and fled with all speed.

She had just reached the main tunnel when she heard shouts and the clash of battle echoing below—Song Kui and his men had evidently stumbled into their own peril.

Ignoring all else, Bai Yuening activated her empowerment technique, flooding her body with spiritual power and shooting upward like an arrow loosed from the string.

Just as she neared the entrance, she collided headlong with Song Kui’s group, who were making their way down in disarray.

Both sides froze in surprise.

Song Kui instantly spotted the lingering fire fiend aura on her and the barely concealed jade vials and Flameheart Grass she carried.

Realization blazed in his eyes, followed instantly by fury and greed. “You! Leave the treasures!”

With a roar, he struck out, his palm wreathed in razor winds.

But Bai Yuening had anticipated this. She twisted aside, narrowly evading the strike, and hurled something backward.

It wasn’t a weapon, but a large fire opal she’d dug out earlier.

Activated by her power, the opal’s inner energies turned unstable, glowing dangerously red.

Mistaking it for an attack, Song Kui instinctively struck at it. Palm wind met the stone—a thunderous explosion followed.

Fiendish energy and shards of stone flew in all directions. It wasn’t enough to seriously injure Song Kui, but the blast bought her the cover she needed, dust and smoke filling the air.

Wasting no time, Bai Yuening shot out of the fissure and fled into the distance.

Behind her, only Song Kui’s enraged bellows and the distant roars of awakened beasts echoed wildly through the fiery veins below.

She paid them no heed, pouring all her energy into speed.

In her arms, the scalding spirit essence, the spirit herbs, and several fire opals pulsed with formidable energy.

This was fortune wrested from the jaws of danger—a true windfall!